Public Health

The Department of Health recently awarded a $6.5 million loan to the Louisiana Water Company (LAWCO) located in several parishes throughout Louisiana. Provided through the State’s Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund, the funding will help the water company improve drinking water infrastructure in the community water systems they operate.

The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), STD/HIV Program, is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for qualified proposers to provide pharmacy benefits management services through a comprehensive network of pharmacies, to eligible clients residing in all 64 parishes in Louisiana.

Louisiana, including Caddo Parish, consistently experiences some of the highest rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States. The most recent studies by the CDC, 2015 data, show Louisiana has the highest rate in the nation for primary and secondary syphilis and the highest gonorrhea rate. Further, among the top 70 counties/parishes in the U.S., Caddo is ranked 59.

During the month of March, Well-Ahead Louisiana, an initiative of the Louisiana Department of Health; the Louisiana Campaign for Tobacco-Free Living; and The Rapides Foundation partnered to celebrate Kick Butts Day in different locations throughout Louisiana.

The Louisiana Department of Health recently awarded a $1,920,000 loan to the Holmesville Water System through the State’s Drinking Water Revolving Loan Fund. This low-interest subsidized loan will help improve Holmesville’s water system.

This is a message from the Louisiana Department of Health Emergency Operations Center (LDH EOC). Please share and distribute with relevant stakeholders and partners through your own distribution channels.

The rate of babies born with syphilis is rising in Louisiana, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC found the rate of congenital syphilis rose by 6% nationwide between 2014 and 2015. Director of the Bureau of Infectious Diseases for the Office of Public Health, Dr. DeAnn Gruber, says the problem is even worse in Louisiana.

Well-Ahead Louisiana, an initiative of the Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana Restaurant Association and Oschner’s Eat Fit program have partnered together to provide healthy dining options in restaurants across the state.